Labdane Diterpenoids from Coleus forskohlii （Willd.） Briq.

in order to investigate the active substances of Coleus forskohlii（Wiiid.） Brlq., a new labdane dlterpenold, 12- hydroxy-8,13E-labdadlen-15.olc acid, together with two 8,13-epoxylabd-14-ene-11-one dlterpenolds, 6-acetyl-1- deoxyforskolln and 6-acetyl-1,9-dldeoxyforskolln, was Isolated on the basis of various chromatographic technlques and spectroscopic methods.     

A new dihydrobenzofuran from Liatris provincialis

A chloroform extract of Liatris provincialis Godfrey gave as a minor component a new dihydrobenzofuran, whose structure was established as I.     

X-ray crystallography and solution NMR spectroscopy characterization of heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy)cyclomaltoheptaose

Heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy)cyclomaltoheptaose has been characterized in aqueous solution by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. In methanol solution, the acetyl groups were found to interact with both inward and outward-pointing protons. This and the strong deshielding of the bridging carbons, relative to the nonacetylated precursor, indicate macrocyclic flexibility. In the crystalline state the macrocycle exists as a methanol complex. It exhibits elliptical distortion, all glucose residues been tilted with their primary side toward the cavity. The existing strain due to the congestion of 14 acetyl groups at the secondary site is relieved by two glucose rings acquiring the rarely observed skew-boat conformation, (0)S(2), by the increased tilting of two glucose residues, as well as by minor variations of the torsion angles of the acetyl groups. The seven bromine atoms are quite accessible to nucleophiles.     

Further phloroglucinol derivatives in the fruits of Mallotus japonicus

Two new rottlerin-like phloroglucinol derivatives were detected from the fruits of Mallotus japonicus and identified as 3-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-5-(3-acetyl-2,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-6-methoxybenzyl)-phlorobutyrophenone and -phloroisobutyrophenone by spectral studies. 2,6-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-methoxyacetophenone was also isolated     

播种期对晚季香稻香气2-乙酰-1-吡咯啉含量和产量的影响

为了确定华南双季稻区晚季香稻的适宜播种期,在大田条件下以桂香占和农香18为材料,研究了播种期对香稻香气2-乙酰-1-吡咯啉(2-AP)、脯氨酸代谢酶活性和产量的影响。结果表明:(1)7月20日播种的香稻的2-AP含量最高,2-AP含量较高的播期其游离脯氨酸含量、籽粒脯氨酸氧化酶活性以及脯氨酸脱氢酶活性维持在较高水平。(2)7月15日播种的桂香占和7月20日播种的农香18的产量最高,产量较高的播期具有较高的收获指数、干物质积累量和群体生长率。(3)试验条件下晚季香稻的适宜播种期为7月15日-7月20日。     

酸叶胶藤的三萜成分研究

从酸叶胶藤(Ecdysanthera rosea Hook.et Arn.)地上部分的乙醇提取物中分离得到7个三萜类化合物,经波谱鉴定为3-acetyl-20-hydroxy-28-oic-lupeol(1)、cyclocaducinol(2)、lupeol(3)、24-methylenecycloartaol(4)、uvaol(5)、betulin(6)和friedelin(7)。其中1为新化合物。     

Is there a second fragrance gene in rice?

Aromatic rice is highly prized by most rice consumers, and many countries cultivate traditional and improved aromatic varieties. 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) is the major aromatic compound in rice, and is believed to accumulate because of an eight-base-pair (8-bp) deletion in an allele at the fragrance locus. In this study, 2AP was quantified and the presence or absence of the fragrance allele ( fgr ) was determined in 464 samples of traditional varieties of rice from the T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Centre at the International Rice Research Institute. It was shown that a number of aromatic varieties, primarily from South and South-East Asia, do not carry the 8-bp deletion, but 2AP was identified in both raw and cooked rice of these varieties. We suggest that the 8-bp deletion in fgr is not the only cause of aroma, and at least one other mutation drives the accumulation of 2AP. The amount of 2AP in most uniform fgr genotypes was not significantly different from that in aromatic n fgr genotypes, but several fgr genotypes, primarily from South Asia, reproducibly accumulated exceptionally large amounts of 2AP. We suggest that the mutation leading to 2AP in aromatic n fgr varieties possibly originated several times and, through either domestication or evolution, the fgr gene and other alleles leading to 2AP have combined in South Asia, leading to several highly aromatic traditional varieties. The identification of multiple mutations for 2AP will enable rice breeding programmes to select actively for multiple genetic sources of 2AP, leading to the development of highly aromatic and, consequently, high-quality varieties of rice.     

Chiral resolution and absolute configuration of the enantiomers of 5-acetyl-2-methyl-4-methylsulfinyl-6-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone and evaluation of their platelet aggregation inhibitory activity

In a series of 5-acyl-6-phenyl-2,4-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinones the derivative 1a , with a sulfur stereogenic center, had the most potent activity as human platelet aggregation inhibitor. The resolution of rac- 1a was successfully performed by chiral chromatography on Chiralcel OD-R, OD-H, and Chiralpak AD columns and scaled up to a preparative level. The absolute configuration of (−)-(S)- 1a was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. In vitro human platelet aggregation inhibitory activity was evaluated. Both the enantiomers showed IC₅₀ values in the same micromolar range, but the (−)-(S) isomer was slightly more potent [(S)/(R) potency ratio was 4/1]. Chirality 9:681–685, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Toxicity of cadmium in tobacco smoke: protection by antioxidants and chelating resins

The effects of cadmium, an environmental toxin present in tobacco smoke, were studied in vitro in human monocytes and compared to those of tobacco smoke. Overexpression of the 72 λkDa heat shock/stress protein Hsp70 and cell death occurred with a similar time-course and to a similar extent in human monocytes exposed to either cadmium or tobacco smoke. Cadmium and tobacco smoke-mediated toxicity were associated with a decrease in the cellular content of glutathione and ATP and the glutathione precursor N -acetyl- l -cysteine prevented both cadmium and tobacco smoke-mediated toxicity. Furthermore, tobacco smoke-mediated toxicity was prevented by pretreatment with the cadmium chelator resin Chelex-100, supporting the conclusion that cadmium plays a major role in tobacco smoke-mediated toxicity.     

The gene for fragrance in rice

The flavour or fragrance of basmati and jasmine rice is associated with the presence of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. A recessive gene (fgr) on chromosome 8 of rice has been linked to this important trait. Here, we show that a gene with homology to the gene that encodes betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BAD) has significant polymorphisms in the coding region of fragrant genotypes relative to non-fragrant genotypes. The accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in fragrant rice genotypes may be explained by the presence of mutations resulting in a loss of function of the fgr gene product. The allele in fragrant genotypes has a mutation introducing a stop codon upstream of key amino acid sequences conserved in other BADs. The fgr gene corresponds to the gene encoding BAD2 in rice, while BAD1 is encoded by a gene on chromosome 4. BAD has been linked to stress tolerance in plants. However, the apparent loss of function of BAD2 does not seem to limit the growth of fragrant rice genotypes. Fragrance in domesticated rice has apparently originated from a common ancestor and may have evolved in a genetically isolated population, or may be the outcome of a separate domestication event. This is an example of effective human selection for a recessive trait during domestication.     

Grain Yield,Quality and 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline of Fragrant Rice in Response to Different Planting Seasons in South China

Climate conditions is an important factor affected the fragrant rice growth and development. In order to study the effects of different planting seasons on fragrant rice performance in South China, present study was conducted with three planting seasons (early season (April to July), middle season (June to September) and late season (August to November)) and three fragrant rice cultivars, ‘Basmati-385’, ‘Meixiangzhan-2’ and ‘Xiangyaxiangzhan’. The results showed that the highest grain yield and grain 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP, key component of fragrant rice aroma) content were both recorded in late season treatment while the fragrant rice in middle season treatment produced the lowest grain yield, grain filling percentage, 1000-grain weight and gain 2-AP content. The highest contents of precursors (proline, pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid and 1-pyrroline) which related to 2-AP biosynthesis were recorded in late season treatment compared with early season treatment and middle season treatment. The highest activities of enzymes (proline dehydrogenase, pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid synthetase and ornithine transaminase) which involved in 2-AP biosynthesis were also observed in late season treatment. Moreover, the fragrant rice cultivars in late season possessed the lowest chalk rice rate, chalkiness as well as the highest brown rice rate, head rice and protein content. Thus, the optimal season for fragrant rice production in South China is the late season.     

Bakuchalcone,a dihydrofuranochalcone from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia

A new dihydrofuranochalcone has been identified in seeds of Psoralea corylifolia and its structure confirmed by synthesis.     

Enhancement of Ultrasonic Seed Treatment on Yield,Grain Quality Characters,and 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline Biosynthesis in Different Fragrant Rice Genotypes

Fragrant rice is popular for the good grain quality and special aroma. The present study conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of ultrasonic seed treatment on grain yield, quality characters, physiological properties and aroma biosynthesis of different fragrant rice genotypes. The seeds of three fragrant rice genotypes were exposed to 1 min of ultrasonic vibration and then cultivated in paddy field. The results of present study showed that ultrasonic seed treatment increased grain yield of all fragrant rice genotypes but the responses of yield formation to ultrasonic were varied with different genotypes. Compared with control, ultrasonic seed treatment increased grain 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP, the key component of fragrant rice aroma) content by 13.40%–44.88%. Ultrasonic seed treatment also reduced the crude protein contents in grains. The head rice rate, rice length, chalky rice rate, and chalkiness degree were influenced by ultrasonic for one or two fragrant rice genotypes. The activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also enhanced due to ultrasonic seed treatment. In conclusion, ultrasonic seed treatment increased grain, regulated grain aroma and quality, and improved stress resistance of fragrant rice varieties.     

Antioxidant and pro-oxidant effect of the thiolic compounds N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione against free radical-induced lipid peroxidation

The antioxidant ability of thiol compounds has been the subject of much of the current research about oxidative stress. The direct scavenging of hydroxyl radicals by thiols has been suggested as their protection mechanisms. Nevertheless, the interaction of thiols with reactive radicals can generate thiyl radicals, which, in turn, may impart a pro-oxidant function. The purpose of this study has been to establish the effect of the thiol compounds N -acetyl- l -cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) against the peroxidative processes involving membrane lipids. The results obtained support the ability of NAC and GSH to suppress the 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-dependent or to enhance the Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 -dependent oxidative actions. The evaluation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production, the study of the influence of oxidants on membrane fluidity and the measurements of the changes in the fluorescence of bilayer probes, such as 3-( p -(6-phenyl)-1,3,5-hexatrienyl)phenylpropionic acid (DPH-PA), have shown the antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects of both NAC and GSH. Also their dependence on the nature of the radicals generated by the oxidative systems used has been shown. The use of ESR spectroscopy has allowed us to establish the ability of these compounds to scavenge the AAPH-derived radicals, to determine the formation of thiyl radicals in the iron-mediated oxidation and to evaluate the enhanced production of hydroxyl radicals by NAC and GSH.     

Determination of Reduced, Protein-Unbound, and Total Concentrations of N-Acetyl- -cysteine and -Cysteine in Rat Plasma by Postcolumn Ligand Substitution High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the quantitative determination of the sulfur-containing amino acids N-acetyl- -cysteine (NAC) and -cysteine (Cys) in rat plasma. The thiols were separated by reverse-phase ion-pair chromatography, and the column eluent was continuously mixed with an iodoplatinate-containing solution. The substitution of sulfur of the thiol compound with iodide was quantitatively determined by measuring changes in the absorption at 500 nm. The low-molecular-weight disulfides and mixed disulfide conjugates of thiols with proteins were entirely reduced to the original reduced compounds by dithiothreitol. By reducing these two types of disulfides separately during sample pretreatment, the reduced, protein-unbound, and total thiol concentrations could also be determined. Validation testing was performed, and no problems were encountered. The limit of detection was approximately 20 pmol of thiol on the column. The present method was used to measure the plasma concentrations of NAC and Cys in the rat after a bolus intravenous administration of NAC, focusing on disulfide formation. The binding of NAC to protein through mixed disulfide formation proceeds in a time-dependent and reversible manner. Moreover, this “stable” covalent binding might limit total drug elimination, while the unbound NAC is rapidly eliminated. Consequently, the analytical method described in this study is very useful for the determination of plasma NAC and Cys, including disulfide conjugates derived from them.